SRC-CTC H.B. 2614 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2614 By: Solis, Jim (Lucio) Business & Commerce 5/9/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE During the 76th legislative interim, the Senate Subcommittee on Border Affairs studied dental health as a part of a broader charge to find ways to improve the overall condition of health along the Texas-Mexico border. Testimony provided to the committee indicated that only 26 percent of children eligible for Medicaid received dental screenings in 1996, and the percentage of children receiving such care is estimated to be lower in rural areas. When children do not receive oral health care at an early age, it can lead to more serious problems, such as gum disease, which are more difficult and costly to treat in the long run. H.B. 2614 establishes a dental care pilot program in the border region to serve indigent individuals. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Health (department) to develop and implement a dental hygiene pilot program to provide dental services to indigent children who are residents of this state in border-region counties selected by the department. (b) Requires the department to implement the pilot program for certain purposes. (c) Requires the Texas Board of Health (board) to establish eligibility criteria for the pilot program. Sets forth certain requirements for the criteria. (d) Requires the department to determine the dental services to be provided to program participants. (e) Sets forth certain requirements of the department in designing and implementing the program. (f) Requires the board, as soon as practicable after the effective of this Act, to establish eligibility criteria as required by Subsection (c) of this section and to establish any other procedures or requirements necessary to implement this Act. Provides that the requirements of Chapter 2001, Government Code, relating to rulemaking do not apply to an action of the board under this subsection. (g) Requires the department, not later than December 1, 2002, to submit a report to the legislature regarding the program, including certain items. (h) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2003. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001.